Khaya

Description

A class of woods from trees of the genus Khaya that closely resemble true mahogany. Khaya wood is sold as African mahogany and is popular for making cabinets, musical instruments, veneer, and furniture. Khaya trees yield a water swellable gum called khaya gum.

Synonyms and Related Terms

khaya gum; mogno africano (Port.)

Resources and Citations

• G.S.Brady, Materials Handbook, McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1971 Comment: p. 432

• John S. Mills, Raymond White, The Organic Chemistry of Museum Objects, Butterworth Heineman, London, 2nd ed., 1994

• Encyclopedia Britannica, http://www.britannica.com Comment: "Mahogany." Accessed 4 Sept. 2004.